New Gas Tax Analysis: In 6 Years Following Great Recession, Gas Tax Revenue Grew by $1.75 Billion; Road Spending Remained Stagnant

“Governor Brown’s transportation tax proposal is really a tax to replace road funds that were diverted to cover other budget priorities.” — State Senator John Moorlach

(Sacramento, CA) – A fresh review of post-recession California budget data revealed that California’s road spending remained stagnant at roughly $10 billion per year over the past six years, while revenues from gas and diesel taxes and fees grew from $6.9 billion to $8.7 billion. Continue reading→

“Californians pay among the most for our roads, and we still have the worst roads. It’s not a revenue problem. It’s a Caltrans problem.” – Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa)

(Sacramento, CA) – According to a newly released poll by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Government Studies, Californians oppose a gas tax hike by a large 63 percent to 37 percent margin and oppose raising the vehicle registration fee “car tax” by a 74 percent to 26 percent margin. The poll also found that the strongest opposition to raising gas taxes came from those making less than $100,000 a year. Continue reading→

Diane Harkey, Member, State Board of Equalization, 4th District – Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial and Riverside Counties

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2015

Contact: Gino Folchi ,1-916-323-9794

Welcome News for 4th of July Travelers

Board Member Harkey Announces More Independence at the Pump

Sacramento – State Board of Equalization Member Diane L. Harkey today announced that the state excise tax on gasoline will drop by six cents per gallon, from 36 cents to 30 cents starting on July 1, 2015.

“The six cent gas tax decrease is positive news for families planning to travel for the 4th of July weekend,” said Board of Equalization Member Diane L. Harkey. “This tax cut means more Californians will be free to travel at a lower cost while achieving some independence from higher transportation costs,” Harkey concluded. Continue reading→

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is proposing expanding AB 32’s cap-and-trade program to include gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas, effective January 1, 2015. AB 32 was authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) and signed into law in 2006 to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels. California’s population was 22% lower than it is today.

“When I was a member of the State Assembly, I voted against AB 32 because it was a sweeping bill full of needless regulation and unintended consequences that could have devastating effects on the economy,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “This hidden gas tax that CARB wants to implement is a perfect example of an unintended consequence of AB 32 that will hurt California’s working families in these tough economic times.” Continue reading→

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) raises the red flag about a hidden gasoline tax in his Capitol Comment for the week of August 18th, 2014.

Senate Republicans are working to stop this “hidden gas tax” that is supposed to take effect next January. Senate Republicans have sent a letter to the Governor and Democrat Leaders asking them to use their power and stop this tax that Californians didn’t vote for.

The tax is tied to California’s new “cap and trade” tax law — and could increase gasoline prices by as much as 76-cents per gallon. It could cost California families as much as $1000 per year. Continue reading→